Tiffany Thompson
Phone:
(310) 776-0258



Fax:
(310) 943-1962
Email

Thinking of Buying a Home?

Buying a home can be an overwhelming process, but it doesn't have to be.  My goal is to make your purchase as easy and smooth a transaction as possible.  I will work with you to address your concerns and help you find the right home to suit your needs.  Together we'll zero in on what properties will work for you and work to secure the home of your dreams.

You don't have to go through this process alone.  I will show you the best properties available to suit your needs and walk you through the purchase each step of the way.   

I would be happy to meet with you to discuss the home buying process and get you started in the right direction.  I also offer free first-time buyer seminars in a casual, small group setting.  All with no obligation to use my services.

Call me at 310-776-0258 to get started, or email me at tiffany@tiffanyforhomes.com and let's talk about how to acheive your real estate goals.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

 

Tiffany Thompson



Tax Credits up to $8,000: You may qualify for up to $8,000 from the Federal government when you buy your next time.  A credit of up to $8,000 is available to first time homebuyers and up to $6,500 for repeat homebuyers.  You no longer have to be a first time buyer to qualify. Call me for more information.
 
 
What can you afford?  Until you speak with a lender you simply cannot know what loan amount you qualify for in today's market.  Loans are available with down payments as low as 3.5% of the purchase price.  Find out how much you can afford and I'll help you translate that into what types of properties are available to you in which neighborhoods.  As a general rule of thumb, your monthly payment and housing expenses should account for no more than 30-35% of your income.  Check with your mortgage professional for the best programs available for your particular situation.  A single bank or lender may not have the loans you need.  For a list of my trusted lenders that may work for you, call me at (310) 776-0258 or email me at tiffany@tiffanyforhomes.com.   

 
The Rise and Fall of Interest Rates:  Over the last few months rates have risen, fallen, and risen again. If you could have afforded an $800,000 home a few months ago, you may only qualify for $700,000 today. Overall, interest rates are very close to their historical lows.  Rates have been fluctuating between 5-6%.  Your rate may vary. 

For comparison, the interest paid on $500,000 borrowed at 5% is $2,083.33 per month.  At 6%, that jumps to $2,500 per month, a 20% difference.
 
 
Rent vs. Buy:  Renting is a great alternative to buying for those who cannot afford to buy, but Renters beware!  The money you are paying someone else could be used to secure your own home.  Renting a home for $2,500/month is $30,000 thrown out each year.  Buying a home may effectively eliminate that expense, saving tens of thousands each year on top of any rise in home value.  Not to mention that tax deductions can put tens of thousands of dollars back into your pocket each year.  You may even be able to adjust the witholdings in your paycheck to get a bigger check each month to help pay your mortgage!  Consult your tax advisor for details.
  
 
Tax Incentives for Homeowners:  If you own your home and your property has increased over $250,000, you may want to consider moving into the house next door...  You may qualify for up to a $250,000 (or $500,000 for married couples) capital gains tax exemption when you sell your primary residence.*  More and more, we see people selling their homes to buy similar properties in order to take advantage of tax free appreciation.  Once your property value has exceeded the tax-free allowance, you will likely owe taxes on any additional profit.  For some, it's become an investment strategy and a way of life - packing up every two years to take advantage of the tax incentives.  There has been talk of amending the tax codes, so consult your tax professional to see whether and how it may effect you.  Consult your tax advisor for more information and restrictions.
 
 
How to Get Started: If you'd like to get started, or learn more about the home-buying process, let's sit down and talk through your options so you can make an informed decision.  Call me at (310) 776-0258 or email me at tiffany@tiffanyforhomes.com.
 

More Buyer Resources:

 

Tools for Parents:
LA Unified School District

 

LA Unified School District: http://www.lausd.net

LAUSD School Finder: Find out which school your child will go to for your Los Angeles address here.

Other School Districts:
Beverly Hills Unified
Burbank Unified
Culver City Unified
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
West Hollywood (
See LAUSD
)

School Rankings:
Look up Standard & Poor rankings of Los Angeles area schools
here.

Look up your child's school's California Standardized test rankings
here.



City Government Websites:
Beverly Hills
Burbank
Culver City
Los Angeles
Santa Monica
West Hollywood


Neighborhoods by Wikipedia
Bel Air
Beverly Center
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills Post Office
Beverlywood
Brentwood
Carthay Circle
Century City
Cheviot Hills
Culver City
Echo Park
Hancock Park
Hollywood
Hollywood Hills
Holmby Hills
Larchmont Village
Laurel Canyon
Los Feliz
Mar Vista
Marina del Rey
Mid-Wilshire
Miracle Mile
Palms
Picfair Village
Rancho Park
Santa Monica
Sawtelle
Sherman Oaks
Silverlake
Studio City
Sunset Strip
Venice
West Hollywood
West Los Angeles
Westside Los Angeles
Westwood
Windsor Square


Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZ):
List by Wikipedia